Last year I bought about 400 bulb lillies from Van Bourgondien's. I planted them mostly (did have afew leftovers put in some spots in the garden) in two big mass plantings by digging 2 large long trenches, one in the front yard and one in the back that got 4 rows of lilies each. They bloomed and looked so great, I couldn't believe it. I know some people said they had bad luck with this company but I have ordered many times from them and always have been very pleased with great quality.
That was only the start as I plan to put in more lilies in various places but its going to be a multi year project as I just can not plant everything I want to do all in one year. Last year I know I spent lots of bucks and this year again over $400.00. I did save some money because if you spend over $250.00 you get free shipping. I got free shipping last year too and I remember when the order came there were 5 really big boxes.
Only about 178 various bulb lilies this time but mainly more expense types so the cash outlay is gone again. I have only one mass trench planned this time with about 100 blubs or more planned for it. Probably make it a two row deal instead of 4 rows in last years efforts. I can also add more rows if needed another time.
Then there are two garden sections that I planted daylilies in last spring that I wanted to put lily bulbs in between but no time last spring. I will start that plant lily bulbs between the daylilies project this year. Other planned mass trench plantings will have to wait until next year.
I also got some Gladiolus and lots of some new (at least to me) gami glads which are half the height of the big ones.
Lilies, lilies, lilies for me (again)!
Sounds like it will be lovely nyrita. You must post pictures here during bloom time and as your project progresses.
Rita, Yes we need pics!! Sounds absolutely gorgeous!! And you have given me an idea ;)
Jen and everyone- I can tell you that the trench idea with rows (mine had four) of as many bulbs as you can afford looks stunning in bloom. If you do different types like I did Asiatic in front which bloomed first and then oriental in back which bloomed after, you get a very long season of bloom.
Last year I bought different Asiatic Liliies because I really love them and thats what I had had most of before. Then I also added lots and lots of Orientals last year too. I planted many of the solid color border lilly mix plus a bunch of the spotted orientals. My favorites from last year were the Tango lillies. Just loved those colors with all the black speak pattern. I got bloom in three flushes, my solid color hardy Asiatics, then the tangos and then the orientals.
I do not have any trumpet lillies so this year I got a bunch of Trumpet Lillies plus I got a big batch of their Trumpet hybrids that are trumpet and oriental mix with an unusual (and lovely) look. They are supposed to get really tall.
I know that all the new liliies (as well as last years) will look smashing blooming. Liliies add so much color in the garden that I don't know how anyone can get by without them. Plus if you get different types, you get staggered bloom times and can have lilly bloom all summer long.
They sent me a notice that they shipped on Monday. Just got home from doing errands today and the bulbs came already. That was fast. I pushed the box inside because it was out on the porch but I have not even opened it yet. Its cold and damp today again so since it was not a great day for working in the garden, I decided to make it the run errands day. Will have to get to unpacking the lillies later as I now have lots of work (pays the bills) came in on my computer to get done today.
I ordered through VB's this year, but it was clematis and not lilies. I did order lilies through the co-op and from Faraway Flowers to add to my collection. Last year I had blooms for more than two months between the various types I have.
The clematis have been in the kitchen from the moment they arrived and, in a northeast window, they've made amazing progress.
I got them Wednesday and planted 141 bulbs yesterday. Still have afew more left to go. But I decided I needed some more bulbs so I ordered again from VB so that I can add to my plantings in various garden beds.
However, I have been wanting to start to add lillies in my driveway side daylily garden (just put three groupings in yesterday from my VB bulbs)
So I ordered from some from B&D liliies that have large bulbs and a great reputation. I got 12 bulbs, 3 each of Triumphator (Longiflorum-Oriental), Red Alert (Fragrant Asiatic), Bonbini (Orienpet), and 'My Precious' Orienpet). Thats 12 bulbs and they cost me $75.00 plus shipping. No way could I be filling trenches for mass displays and buying hundreds of bulbs at those prices.
http://snowcreek.stores.yahoo.net/
I also ordered 3 more Trumpet lillies African Queen and 4 Silk Road Orienpet Lillies from White Flower Farms. Those Silk Roads were 12.95 apiece. Outch. But I just saw them and went nuts over them so I ordered.
http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/index.html
I have my second order of the spring from VB Wholesale on its way, they shipped out Friday. I have some more JACQUELINE lilies coming to finish up that planting in the front. I also got some short orientals to put out in the front yard. Plus I bought another of their 5 types of trumpet lilies collection. I already have one of that trumpet collection planted and wanted another for a spot in the front yard.
It is funny that since being turned on to sources like The Lily Garden and B&D lillies for spring, I still very much like VB Wholesale. For a different reason, as the Orienpets and trimpet hybrids at those two mentioned are a much better selection than at VB but I do love to plant in masses and they have lots of great selection for that.
Yeah, if you end up with what you think you're buying, they are fine. But lots of times you end up with something completely different than what you thought you were getting, or at least, that is my experience with VB. :) But if you don't care, then no problem. :)
Well, I would care if I got the wrong lilies. Last year, no problem everything turned out to be what it was supposed to be. No way to tell on the ones already planted this spring and on the ones on the way. Come summer, I guess I will find out.
What type of lily is Black Beauty? I am slowly adding different bulbs to my garden. I cannot keep the Asiatic, orientpet and Orientals straight. I need to read the sticky, I guess.
I like the little short lollipop lilies too. What are some that stay short and do well in pots?
Thanks,
Teresa
Here's Black Beauty, Teresa: http://lilypadbulbs.com/catalog/blackbeautyot-p-224.html
What's your problem with growing the Asiatic lilies? They grow here with no feeding and average conditions. I use Blood Meal to keep the bunnies away but the local hawk has demolished the rabbit population over the winter.
There are short Orientals for pots. Try any of the major places (Lily Garden, B & D, etc.) or Dutch Gardens.
Some asiatics that are short are the Tiny series http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/finder/cultivars.php?sname=Lilies&choice=T and there's Mount Duckling, Muscadet, Dreamcatcher, etc.. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/114830/
If I plant lillies that I ordered this year will they also bloom this year?
Yep
Great, I planted many more this year. The voles did not eat my others.
Rita, remember also that all these Asiatics you're buying will multiply quickly, so in a few years you'll double what you have now ^_^
You'll be lucky if it's only double. :) LOL But you're going for a big impact and you will succeed! :)
Multiply equals understatement!
pirl- That picture is stunning :-)) I have heard that you have a fabulous garden and hope you post lots of pictures as thiongs start to bloom this year.
My order from VB Wholesale just arrived via the UPS truck. I hope to get at least some of them planted today. I have to plant a row of daylilies first as that will make it easier to put the lily bulbs in between in one row. Then the 5 groupings of trumpet lillies is fairly easy, I know just were they go.
I have not opened the bags but just opened the box of lilies and looked in on it. I see lots of sprouts so these really need to get into the ground ASAP.
Yes, they do!
Thanks for the compliment. It all started with just 20 bulbs.
You must have the magic touch. Until I started planting in more bulk my bulbs never made such clumps.
I am really dragging as I have been planting daylilies and lilies all afternoon.
Today I worked outside 9.5 hours. That's the least hours I've put in out of the last 5 days. Yesterday was 12 hours. Soon I'll just set up a cot outside.
A cot outside actually sounds pretty nice, or a nice little hammock. Good thinking pirl.
I could never do that. I would fall over of exhaustion. Plus I work at home so always have work to process on my computer. I did some this morning, then went out to garden in the afternoon and when I come back inside for the day, will have to start slogging thru more work in the evenings. Thats what happens most evenings, so that I can spend time in my garden during the day.
I do often wander back in to check the computer, which is why I usually am posting here all day long.
Going out to water stuff I planted today and some things I transplanted last week. Not going to get all the garden chores I had hoped to get to today done. Oh, well, I just keep on slogging away at it.
That's all any of us can do - keep slogging away at it. New transplants are really feeling the heat so they are now adorned with pots turned upside down with a rock on top. I may go out later to remove the pots since we do have a chance of rain tomorrow: I hope they're right!
Who says I haven't fallen over from exhaustion! LOL
That's a great shot, pirl ^_^ Really beautiful!
Thanks, Steve. It's one area where all the shots are good ones.
Pirl, Your pix are lovely! I would love to have my morning coffee at your little bistro!
Thanks, mattsmom. I just may bring out my next cup of coffee and get busy.
Pirl, what a beautiful setting! It looks so relaxing. Thanks for sharing.
It was all the bags of dwarf oriental lilies that had strouted. I got them planted yesterday.
I am planting half my Gamin Glads now in at the end of a backyard daylily bed. Will plant the regular size glads and the other half of my Gamin Glads in the front yard in about two weeks. I read somewhere to stagger your plantings of glads every two weeks and you have a long season of bloom. Thought I would try at least some of that advice.
This is the first time I have tried the Gamin glads from VB Wholesale. The corms are smaller than the ones for regular sized glads and the flower spikes are supposed to be half the height, 2 feet instead of 4 feet. They still don't overwinter though and I often forget to dig my glads which is why I am forever buying new ones.
The Trumpet lilies that came yesterday are not sprounted like the orientals but I have marked out my spots for planting them and will do so as soon as I finish with the gladiolas.
Thank you, daltri.
I've heard of the staggered planting also but have never tried it. Good luck, Rita.
Those trumpets are planted. I had laid out a section that I want to do in trumpet lilies along an area were I have a nicely established row of daylilies but am adding to the daylily row. I had room to do 8 clumps of trumpets. I had the 5 from VB Wholesale which I just planted. Those are the more commonly sold trumpets of African Queen, Pink Perfection, Golden Splendor, Regale and Regale Album. My second collection like this as I got the same in an earlier VB Wholesale order.
I do remember buying African Queen again from another vendor and those bulbs were much bigger than these ones I just planted. Some did have two noses though and I guess I will just have to wait until the bulbs get bigger for the best display.
Meanwhile, I will get something this fall for those last three spots along this section.
My third order from VB Wholesale shipped today, they sent me a notice. So at least they got it done quickly this time, not like last time were I felt like they had gone on vacation before getting around to shipping my order. These would be mainly the CENTERFOLD Asiatics to plant in back of the BLACK OUTs that I planted yesterday from WoodenShoe.
The VB Wholesale order arrived today, I have not even opened it yet. Rained yesterday and raining again today so I am really behind with my planting.
Hurray. I worked on that last VB wholesale order piecemeal. I got the Trumpet lilies from it planted very soon and just finished up the rest today. So all my lilies from all three of my VB Wholesale orders are finially done. You don't know how happy and relieved both I am about that!
Now off to start planting my last lily order of the spring, which is my Brent and Beckys order.